Latest Posts

O Slow – “These Dreams”

March 27, 2023

Hailing from California and currently residing in Brooklyn, O Slow is multi-instrumentalist Jacqui Miranda’s solo effort that shines brightest when it’s at its darkest. “These Dreams” is a delightful masterclass in mixing wispy, haunting lyrics with a collage of sounds anchored by a steady piano throughout. Jacqui brings us into the tangled web of a transcontinental move and the accompanying mixed feelings associated with being the country mouse who moves to the big city. The melding of sounds and her voice evoke a comparison to bands like Beach House or even an alternate-reality Alvvays that leaned into darker tones. You should absolutely listen to “These Dreams” with a nice set of headphones (like I did) for the full effect. It was a good type of disconcerting that made me feel the unease Jacqui delivers throughout the track. You can hear this and more over on Soundcloud or Spotify. Also be[...]

bugcatcher – Slacker

March 21, 2023

Rochester act, bugcatcher, write big acoustic-indie tunes for little, yet important moments in their debut full length, Slacker. On the intro song, “Roller,” the project’s lead vocalist, songwriter and main member, Jake Denning, questions changes in his life while a tender guitar riff fades in and out. Responding with indifference, Denning’s voice echoes back onto itself with the vacant phrase “well okay, well alright,” as the instrumentation kindles the project’s gentle, slacker rock sound. Denning has multiple meanings for the title, as he feels there is “a malaise to the way the album flow[s], as it’s “generally pretty mid tempo,” yet he also said it took a long time for him to make, “maybe even too long.” He referred to its origins in late 2020, and how he moved around a couple times during its development. A dreamlike short-story-tune, “Daisy Vs The Grim Reaper,” was one of the first completed.[...]

Fieldrush – “Motorcycle”

March 20, 2023

Fieldrush is a San Diego-based trifecta who show that they understand how to craft a solid emo/alt-rock track in this year of our Lord 2023 with their latest track “Motorcycle.” This single brings something that sounds both familiar yet fresh; something about this three piece just feels right. Twinkly, tappy guitars, shuffling drums, and nimble basslines lay perfectly beneath their band-in-a-room vocals. The lyrics, specifically “Good friends move far away//Do you feel like they did now?” earnestly-delivered definitely awaken some feelings from earlier in life when I was the friend moving away (don’t worry, it happens when you get out of college too). Lead man Trevor Johnson brings some melodic guitar interwoven throughout that is reminiscent of bands such as Tiny Moving Parts, Modern Baseball, and Cloud Nothings, but forges ahead with his own identity without being beholden to forebears. Give “Motorcycle” among other songs a listen on Bandcamp or[...]

The Jürgen Clubs – “Soft”

March 20, 2023

Bringing a level of wit and self-deprecating pizazz that I can’t help but find infectious, Danish quartet The Jürgen Clubs‘ third single is… about the soft member of lead singer Magnus Grilstad. As he puts it: “The song is based on an evening when I wasn’t too proud of myself, and in the attempt to get a second chance, I invited her out to a restaurant while she’s on her way out the door. Of course she turned down that invitation a few days later. (Prior to the date, Magnus had skipped all of the day’s meals to avoid getting bloated, resulting in the alcohol suddenly hitting harder than expected).” With this in mind, it’s easy to appreciate not only the underlying theme but also the non-stop party vibe the band brings musically. With the bass and keyboard trading the spotlight multiple times, it brings a fun back-and-forth that wouldn’t[...]

Little Champion – “oops i got sad”

March 20, 2023

The on-stage moniker of Asheville native Dustin Goldklang; Little Champion‘s sound is that of a well-tuned indie rock bicycle. “Indie rock” is catch all term that gets thrown around, but Little Champion definitely fits the bill: self recorded, produced, and mixed (though this certainly doesn’t discredit anyone who can’t do all three). “oops i got sad” leads with warm guitars that crescendo along with Goldklang’s initial almost-whisper in the first third before backing off at the first bridge and guiding us along with the one-sided argument he’s having about (or with?) the malaise he’s feeling. Listeners of emo and/or folk-flavored indie would find a lot to enjoy, specifically Iron and Wine, heart-on-your-sleeve acts like Modern Baseball, or pop rocker Andrew McMahon’s previous project, Jack’s Mannequin. “oops…” is just one of nine tracks from Little Champion’s March 7th release Curiosity so I will say this: give it a listen. You can hear[...]

Svidden – “Blurry Eyes”

March 20, 2023

Sweden based artist Jimmy Koitzsch, aka Svidden, is here with their first release, the infectious and deliciously danceable track, “Blurry Eyes.” Jimmy has been behind the scenes in some of Sweden’s biggest acts such as Galantis, Becky Hill, Alan Walker and SEEB (just to mention a few), but has also been brewing their solo music, which has finally began to see the light of day. “Blurry Eyes” is a wonder-filled EDM track that gels together its elements in a stunningly satisfying way. Relaxed modulated vocals play perfectly with bubbly synth textures and uses both to excite the senses and lighten the soul. Soon the vocals start to soar and the mix thickens as the track builds towards a chorus that creates a waves of elation that builds in your stomach and blooms in your chest. You’ll be lifted to shining emotional heights and find an undeniable need to glide across[...]

Krooked Kings – “Coming Of Age”

March 18, 2023

A dandy of a single from Utah-based Krooked Kings, “Coming of Age” has lots of great indie hooks that scratch the discerning music listener’s itches. I’m happy to see more bands with appropriate use of synth which I’ve ranted about before (Krooked Kings use it effectively throughout). The warm guitars and heartfelt lyrics would fit in well to the soundtrack of a Zac Braff-esque indie movie and would play over a montage of the tsundere protagonist growing up… But also, the mellow strumming and gentle hooks here are evergreen through and through. Fans of Los Campesinos!, Glass Animals, or Hazel English would find a lot to enjoy not only with this track but with most of Krooked Kings’ catalogue. You can hear more of them over on Spotify. Also be sure to let us know what you think on this and any other music we post in the comments on[...]

Koala Harbor – “Can’t Fall Asleep”

March 18, 2023

The first thirty seconds of Koala Harbor‘s debut single off upcoming album Those Who Are Lost Must Wander IMMEDIATELY evokes the more creative MIDI tones of my favorite video game system, THE Sega Genesis (specifically the more dreamlike tracks of Sonic 2 and 3). Make no mistake though, Mr. Harbor (Mr. Koala?) has crafted a gorgeous track that cannot be ignored. They could easily be mentioned in the same breadth as such greats as Toro y Moi and Dayglow. Smooth lyrics and a hearty synthetic layering of their digital tracks leave the listener riding the waves as relaxed as a koala on a eucalyptus farm. Please be sure to check out this sterling example of electronica indie-pop as well as Koala Harbor’s 2023 album, Lost Demos, which includes several delectable remixes of “Can’t Fall Asleep”. These and more can be found on Spotify as well as Apple Music. Please let us[...]

S.I.L. – “Lonely Nights”

March 18, 2023

Orlando based duo S.I.L.‘s newest track, “Lonely Nights,” immediately evokes the pumped up beats of electronica darlings Daft Punk at their most mellow and Billie Eillish at her tamest. Make no mistake though, Silvana and Justin work together inextricably to form a nouveau-jazz-adjacent smart sounding vibe all their own. Silvanna’s soulful voice fills your inner being while the tightly wound bass and drums fill your body with longing. I feel anyone who is familiar with band such as Rubblebucket and the aforementioned Billie Eillish/Daft Punk comparisons would feel most at home with S.I.L. Be sure to check out their various singles and 2020 full length Sunshowers on Soundcloud or Spotify. S.I.L. · Lonely Nights

Shuttle – “Daydreamin'”

March 18, 2023

Shuttle brings a tight synth pop track your way with “Daydreamin’,” off of their most recent EP sharing the same name. Already having amassed nearly two thousand plays on Spotify (in addition to nearly 500k for equally accessible single “Swimming Through Time”), Shuttle is clearly no stranger to melodious pop tracks. I cannot, however, in good conscience recommend “Daydreamin'” to the layperson; in their forward they sent buffaBLOG it was clearly labeled as “music for non-human animals who travel in space.” Would this have been on the soundtrack to Laika, one of the first animals in space (cruelly) part of the Russian’s Sputnik 2? Maybe, maybe not. However, were I to assemble an away team in my “travels,” I would most assuredly choose Shuttle as a stalwart second mate – along with more established luminaries such as MGMT and Tame Impala (M83 can come too). “Daydreamin’s” carefully coordinated synths will[...]

Dragon Inn 3 – “I Can’t Stop”

March 16, 2023

Dragon Inn 3 is the current project of Kansas City resident and indie royalty Philip Dickey (of Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin fame). Along with his sister Sharon Bowie, his wife Grace Bentley, and David Hill they’ve created the delightful synthpop jam “I Can’t Stop.” While there are seemingly no dragons, Dragon Inn 3 will certainly be a wonderful host to your ear buds if you’re familiar with such acts as Eurythmics and early, less depressing, Depeche Mode (seriously, check out 1985’s Catching Up with Depeche Mode and tell me I’m wrong). Dragon Inn 3 brings back the fun and whimsy of the 80s with the production and sleek songwriting skills of modern day indie rock (and gives SSLYBY fans a tasty slice of new content), reminding you that it’s okay to dance to rock ‘n roll. Be sure to check out Dragon Inn 3’s sophomore album Trade Secrets, out April[...]

Gold Spectacles – “Anywhere Else”

March 16, 2023

Gold Spectacles has released their new track “Anywhere Else,” a deliciously satisfying continuation of their unique blend of synth and baroque-pop (see our previous features here, here, and here). “Anywhere Else” is a pop joyride as much as it is a masterclass in eclectic textures and pop construction. Tape hiss, bright muted keys, and tempered pop vocals are just the beginning of this track’s arsenal of sonics, with acoustic guitar twinkles, a vintage hammond organ, and an energetic bassline each finding their moments to shine. Gold Spectacles’ ear for timing and construction will wow you as their vocal staccato stylings fit perfectly within their delectable slices of pop sounds like zero tolerance machining. Here is Gold Spectacles talking about the new song: “We wrote ‘Anywhere Else’ on a trip to Barcelona, our first time abroad since the pandemic, because we didn’t want to go home. We borrowed a guitar and[...]

Curves – “Perpendicular”

March 16, 2023

Curves has released their latest single “Perpendicular,” a emotional, guitar-heavy indie rock jam that you’ll feel in the back of your jaw (check our previous feature on them here). “Perpendicular” pulls from the emotional core of reminiscing about a past relationship that crossed their life’s path once and its better to stay that way based on the destruction it caused. The track evokes the turbulent relationship with sonics that are loud, discordant, and messy, but never veers too far from a indie rock groove anchored by the song’s kick drum. “Perpendicular” has purposeful rough edges and fat guitar melodies that pair perfectly with a earnest howl of a chorus that will pull on your guts as you howl along with it. Listen to Curves new song “Perpendicular” on Spotify. Perpendicular by Curves

Guy Blue – “No Other Life (Without You)”

March 13, 2023

Brooklyn-based artist Guy Blue builds a dreamy landscape with the gorgeous and delicate new single, “No Other Life (Without You).” Many artists use ethereal and dreamy soundscapes to evoke a mood, but Guy Blue accomplishes the unique feat of translating the surreal into music through their songwriting and production. Every aspect of the song works to bring the listener into a dream, even the humble pulsing synths growing out of the distance that begin the song create the effect of a dream that has just blossomed in the mind the moment after the window of consciousness has slammed shut. A humble drum machine joins the construct and then shifts as soon as it becomes familiar by adding a reverb that grows and pushes the congruent dream vision further. Guy Blue wields progression masterfully here, adding sounds that are familiar but bent, so they simultaneously read as alien also – another[...]

DOVVYDOTCOM – “central ’22”

March 13, 2023

Los Angeles based singer, songwriter, and producer Dov Sikowitz, aka DOVVYDOTCOM, has an excellent, unabashed new single with “central ’22.” The track brings you in with an unassuming but welcoming buzz-and-hiss jangly guitar intro that sets the stage for the beautiful guitar picking backbone that the song drops into. The buzz has that irresistible warmth of a tube amp that simultaneously tickles the cochlea and heart, and Dov’s patient songwriting dances with that warmth so well, creating a sonic progression that is eternally pleasing. As a music fan, this writer is a straight sucker for lyric forward song writing and Dov delivers that so well as his soft warm confident singing lays out his poetry so clearly with the sparse production of the track only focusing on guitar and vocal. This creates an emotionally gripping center similar to greats such as Death Cab for Cutie, Alex G, and Dijion. Here[...]